Decisions, Decisions

I recently started reading the book Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, which got me thinking about how we go about making decisions, particularly decisions about others. As a human resource practitioner, I think about how we can make better decisions to avoid a poor hire or promoting someone lacking leadership ability into a management position. We make decisions about people in all aspects of our lives. How do we decide if a candidate would be a good fit for an organization? Do we believe a particular doctor’s diagnosis or get a second opinion? Do we have faith that our co-worker will follow through with their part of a project? Do we feel our tax preparer is saving us the most money?

Blink talks about how we make some choices in an instant , seemingly without thinking. It is subconscious and instinctual. Some folks have a gift for making the right decision quickly, while others stumble. People with a knack for quick thinking, have a way of looking past the “noise” or things that get in the way. For example, they can look beyond the actual words that are spoken and concentrate on the way they were spoken and the speaker’s intent.

This idea reminded me of the famous quote by Maya Angelou. “When people show you who they are, believe them”. How many times have you realized that after you have made an incorrect decision about someone, there really were clues along the way? How can we pay closer attention to those subconscious thoughts?

As HR practitioners, how do we make a split decision on a resume in our inbox? Or 500 for that one position we advertised? With such a small snapshot of a person, it is a challenge to decide who to consider and who to weed out, especially when a diligent employer hires for character and trains for skills. Character is difficult to express in a resume. What if they didn’t use spell check on their “sales pitch” to us? Does that mean that the candidate has no attention to detail? General George S. Patton had dyslexia, and battled it every day he was alive. Look at what he managed to accomplish, even though not every letter, order, or communication was spell checked. How do we know that applicant won’t work out or be a good fit. Altruistically, we should interview each candidate that applies, but of course who has time for that. If our job is to really find that diamond in the rough, can we trust our split second guessing to serve us (and our employer) well? So as a job seeker, look for creative ways to display your character. At the very least, research the organization and tailor your cover letter accordingly. Then follow up with us.

We humans are complicated beings. Our personalities are unique and we all have different experiences which influence the way we see the world. Understanding and working with each other is a constant learning experience.

What Is Your Game Plan?

This can be a crazy time of year if you let it. We’re planning and attending parties, shopping for gifts, finishing year end projects at the office, writing holiday cards, hanging lights, planning menus and the list goes on. While you’re at it, don’t forget to put yourself on that list. Find a time and place where you can concentrate on your game plan for next year. It’s time to get psyched! What do you want to do? Where do you want to go?

If you know that one of your goals next year is to get a job, make a career transition or seek a promotion, attend all the holiday parties you are invited to and network. Show your enthusiasm for where you want to go and the value you add. Excitement and drive about your passions is contagious so pass it on!

Your game plan doesn’t have to only be about career goals. Think about your personal objectives as well. Many of us are on the quest for improved health and fitness. Maybe you want to improve your relationship with a friend or family member, learn a new language or learn how to play the piano. I am from Arizona and have a goal of embracing winter sports in the Rockies, so I plan to head out on snow shoes for the first time this afternoon.

Once you know what you want your outcome to be, set some interim goals to move you in the right direction. If you plan to run a marathon, sign up for some shorter distance races in preparation. Small victories will help you stay motivated.

Be transparent about your goals. Telling some else about what you plan to achieve can often keep you on track. Look for other people with similar goals and interests and bounce ideas around with them. The support and camaraderie can be a big help.

Get ready for a great year!

Managing Perception - Why Should We Care What Other People Think?

We are creating impressions everywhere we go. From the barista that hands you your morning coffee, the receptionist as you walk into the office, clients you contact on the phone, your boss, co-workers and employees, your kids’ soccer coach, your spouse, the pizza delivery guy, the HR person you e-mailed your resume to…Need I go on. Why should you care what other people think? Isn’t it manipulative to “manage” perceptions? Well, it all depends on the context and motive.

Perception is an individual’s interpretation of the world and is their reality. Organizations spend billions on advertising and public relations. It is to your benefit to be aware of the effect your action (or non-action) has on others and use this information to manage your behavior to promote your life and career while still being yourself. Just be your best self because it is really hard to change a negative impression.

Impressions others form about you are a result of both your journey and your destination. In other words, not only the outcome, but how you got there. Do you behave ethically and are you focused on customer service? People are watching, even when you think they are not. In your business and career world, awareness and management of the perceptions you create is essential when you hold any of the following roles:

Leader – New leaders soon realize that relationships become more important than technical ability. What sets great leaders apart from average ones is the ability to manage perceptions. What people perceive as your effectiveness as a leader becomes reality. Your actions need to match your words every single time. Without follow-through, you won’t have the trust you need to be effective. Especially now when employee confidence in organizations might have been shaken, leaders need to motivate and act with conviction. Communicate the reasons behind your decisions, especially the difficult ones. Be aware of the effect you have on others. Are your employees happy when you visit their work area or do they dread it? Know the effect that stress has on you and how this looks to others. Most importantly, be visible at strategic moments, both the good and bad. Be around to give explanations and answer questions when bad news is delivered but also celebrate along side your staff during good times.

Job Seeker – Remember that potential employers are creating a perception of you at every step of the way; from your ability to follow directions during the application process, your interactions on the phone when scheduling an interview to receipt of an offer. Your capacity to manage perceptions in the past will even influence the quality of your references. Candidates with the knack to influence others’ perceptions have a far better chance of controlling their own destiny. Showcase your experience in a positive light without overdoing it. Dress the part during interviews, show respect and pay attention to your body language.

Entrepreneur - When you are a small business, you become an expert at wearing many hats. Just as with leaders and job seekers, managing perceptions is vital to your business. Finding new clients, keeping current customers happy, managing employees, interacting with vendors and business partners falls on your shoulders and involve perceptions. Persistence in increasing your own awareness will help your business succeed. Take care of the relationships you have formed because your next break can come from who rather than what you know.

Managing perceptions isn’t easy. Try asking for feedback from people you trust and spend some time on self-reflection. Building self-awareness though, involves courage and commitment. So be open to constructive criticism as you continue to pursue your goals.